KABUL (Pajhwok): Following Spain’s victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a 19-year-old photograph of Lionel Messi bathing six-month-old Lamine Yamal during a charity event has once again captured global attention.
ESPN reported the photograph was taken in 2007 for a charity calendar organised by Spanish newspaper Sport in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at Barcelona’s stadium. Messi was 20 years old at the time, while Yamal was just six months old.
The image resurfaced across international media and social media platforms ahead of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, becoming one of football’s most widely shared and discussed photographs.
Speaking before the final, Messi described the image as “incredible.”
“That photo is incredible. I took a picture with him when he was a baby … the fact that we’re both playing in the World Cup now is crazy,” he said.
Messi also praised Yamal, calling him one of the world’s best players.
“I wish him every success because his success is also Barcelona’s success. He is an extraordinary player and a global star. He’s only 19, and his whole career is ahead of him.”
After years of Messi wearing Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 shirt, Yamal has inherited the famous jersey and is widely regarded as one of the club’s brightest young stars.
Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the image, said the World Cup final had given the photograph renewed global significance.
“The picture has spread around the world. The final in the United States has brought even more attention to it. This story, culminating in Messi and Yamal facing each other in the final, is better than any screenplay,” he said.
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino admitted he initially thought the image had been generated by artificial intelligence.
“It’s incredible that two of the best footballers have a photo like this together,” he said.
Originally taken for a charity campaign nearly two decades ago, the photograph has become one of football’s most memorable images after Messi and Yamal faced each other in the 2026 World Cup final.
Nineteen-year-old Yamal made his first senior international appearance against 39-year-old Messi in the final, which Spain won 1-0 to secure its second FIFA World Cup title. Spain claimed its first World Cup crown in 2010.
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